Five years cancer-free!

 - by Robin Dorner
   Editor in Chief

“We have received the results of your tests, and they show a malignancy in both breasts.”

These were the words of the nurse navigator on August 28, 2020, the day I received my breast cancer diagnosis.

“I know this is a lot to take in right now. The next step is to meet with your cancer care team to discuss your treatment options.”

Apparently, they didn’t realize my husband had died less than six months before then, and I was not ready for this news. But is one ever “ready” for this news?

Things moved fast after this news. There were more and more tests, appointments with multiple specialists, and all the stress that goes along with a cancer diagnosis. It was all so overwhelming, and there were decisions to be made.

Initially, I had been told of a mass in each breast. By the time all the additional testing and opinions were completed, I found out I had three more masses – a total of five. I didn’t see much more of an option than to have a total mastectomy.

A total mastectomy is different than a radical mastectomy. A total mastectomy is a surgical procedure where the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, and surrounding tissue, is removed. A radical mastectomy includes the lymph nodes under the arm (axilla), and sometimes the chest muscles beneath the breast.

I only had about four lymph nodes removed from each side, rather than all of the nodes on each side. It’s a significant difference with regard to how invasive the cancer is, and the more nodes you lose, the more difficulty a person has postoperatively.

But I still had tons of problems postoperatively. My initial surgery was on October 5, 2020. I had significant pain and healing issues. The plastic surgeon had decided by February of 2021 that my mastectomy needed to be revised, and the implants should be under the muscle tissue. That was my second implant surgery.

Over the next several months, I continued to have the same type of problems. The pain was almost unbearable, and the breasts were not forming correctly. The mesh had failed, which meant another surgery was required.

I underwent my third surgery in July 2021 with a new type of mesh called Galaflex, and it has been another horrible experience. When I complained to the plastic surgeon about the immense pain, he became frustrated and said, “Well, I don’t know what you want me to do.” Perhaps he thought I was drug-seeking, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

That day, I walked out of his office and didn’t speak to any of them as I left. I never went back. I continued to have severe pain, which has gotten better over the last five years, but does persist. I also sought the advice of two other plastic surgeons, who couldn’t offer much help either.

It’s been a wild ride, but despite the problems I have had, I am so grateful to be five years cancer-free. I can’t believe it’s been that long, and I could never have made it without my best friend and life-partner, Chris.

Thanks also to all The Gayly readers who sent your best wishes and notes of encouragement as I shared my journey and recovery early on. Your positive words and hope helped so much along my path to recovery.

The Gayly. October 5, 2025 @ 3:10 CST.